Cutaneous ganglioneuroma

Cutaneous Ganglioneuromas With Overlying Epidermal Hyperplasia: A Case Series Presentation and Proposal of Potential Etiopathogenesis

ABSTRACT

Cutaneous ganglioneuromas (GNs) are exceptionally uncommon tumors, and many reported cases describe association with overlying epidermal hyperplasia that may be interpreted as seborrheic keratosis (SK) or SK-like proliferation. We report 5 cases of cutaneous GN in adult patients; all of which were discovered incidentally in the immediate vicinity of epidermal hyperplasia. A review of the literature demonstrates the current-although likely imperfect-understanding of the etiopathogenesis of both SK and GN in the skin. We explore the putative pathophysiologies of other common, well-characterized skin lesions and, taking them into account, provide rationale for the coexistence of cutaneous GN with overlying SK and SK-like epidermal changes. However, we ultimately acknowledge a dilemma of causality and, given the rarity of their co-occurrence, objectively question whether occasional cameo appearances by GN lying subjacent to SK and SK-like hyperplasia may be due merely to chance.

Cutaneous ganglioneuroma: A case report and discussion of the literature

Ganglioneuromas (GNs) are benign tumors composed of ganglion cells in a Schwannian stroma. They are derived from neural crest cells that give rise to the sympathetic nervous system. Hence, GNs can be found anywhere a sympathetic ganglion is present. Most commonly, GNs are found in the posterior mediastinum and abdominal cavity. Within the abdominal cavity, they are most likely to be found in the retroperitoneal space or adrenal glands. Cutaneous involvement is uncommon and rarely reported in literature. We report an interesting case of a cutaneous ganglioneuroma on the abdomen of an 83-year-old male.